network problem, possibly firewall related?

ok, i ran network setup wizard on both of my pcs at home. my problem is that i still can't share files or printers and the computer name won't show up in my network places. well it shows up on my pc, but not on my brother's and we're both in the same workgroup. i've read another post that suggests to turn off windowx xp firewall which i've done on both computers, but it still doesn't work. my brother is also running norton personal firewall and i don't know if that affects it. i havn't tried turning it off yet, but my question is, is there a way to keep it active and have the network work at the same time? and if not, are there any other viable options? btw, i'm using a linksys befsr41 router if it matters. thanks.

 

gindericho

My one difference is that I have Win98.

But I have the same router/switch. Three machines. Each one with its own Firewall. ( some version of Norton )

I have no problems with the machines seing each other. Or playing games between the two.

But if XP is anything like 98 the Network Neighborhood ( Network Places 4 U ) properties must be set the same and have all the same parts ( IPX/SPX, NetBeui in my case ) installed and set the same.

I found the only way to do that was to bring the properties up on each screen and compare them.

BillyBob

 

gindericho

Big difference from win98 because of XP and Win2k Security!

Make sure both computers are using the same workgroup in My Network Places properties!

Make sure to add the user name on the each computer as a user!

In your case at home use the same user name and passwords on both computers if you want!

This should make it simple.

I am assuming you have all network hardware and normal settings installed correctly!

So! Must have same workgroup and must have a user profile for any connection!

For a test just change the Administrator password to the same on both machines!

If this works then set up a a different user as above! And then change your passwords back to your own secret! You don't trust your brother with your password do you! Smile!!!

Mike

 

Oh!

Hello BillyBoB!

We are back to sun and HOT here! At least for me! About 72 is my comfrot zone!

Have a nice weekend!

Mike

 

don't i spel an rite good!
mike

 

Hi Mike

I was refering mostly to the fact that I had the same Router and was using a Firewall on each machine. And that the Firewall may or may not be the problem.

But as far as names go I do need to have each PC itself named differently but some other settings have to match up. At least as far as protocols and workgroups go.

And SPELLING and case does play and big part I do not know about XP but 98 is very case sensitive in some places.

Again don't know about XP. But the one thing that I forget 90% of the time is File and printer sharing.

It is cool and cloudy here today. It looks like we may be in for some more much needed rain.

We have been through NC. MANY times in the last 20 years on our way to and from Georgia. And the only part that I do not care for is the mountain on I77 ( in VA ) in FOG and SNOW. When the 18 Wheeler slow down to 20MPH you KNOW it is BAD.

And going through ( or past ) Charlotte on I85 at certain times of the day is not really fun either. And you best have a pretty good idea where you want to go or you ain't gonna get there.

You and yours have a nice weekend also

BillyBob

 

Oh yes! BillyBob

You were right on everything! It seems that all of that is correct!

I was only addressing the XP security as in user setup! If it isin't right no access even if everything else is correct!

Yeah! I live 45 min frm Charlotte on I-85. You wouldn't like Raleigh traffic either ( about 1.5 hrs from me).

OK!

Later,
Mike

 

mflynn, i already have everything setup correctly as far as workgroup, user name, etc. i can ping each computer remotely and even play games between the two. they are actually networked together, but as i said in my original post, the actual problem is the the file and print sharing.

 

Ok!

If you are sure all of that is correct!

Yes of course turn off the firewall long enough to see if it is a factor! If it is then we will deal with it.

We just need to make sure everything else is correct and working 1st without firewalls on either computer!

First what do you get when you try to connect to the one that can be seen on the network! Do you get something that says IPC$ ?

You said one computer can see the other but not vice versa!

On the computer that does not see the other, rt click My Network places and try "search for other computers" and type in the name of the other computer. Just the name no \\!

Does it find it now?

On the computer that can be seen share c as c.

Then try this on the one that can see the other! Go to command prompt and type the following

net use h: \\computername\c (space after h

Make sure h: is not already assigned to a drive if so use a free letter!
Replace computername above with the actual computer name of the other computer!

If it fails let me know what it said!

If it says successful then go to MY COMPUTER and see if you now have a new drive h: If so it will be the drive of the other computer!

Then let me know about this before we proceed!

Mike

 

GENDERICHO

Here is probably the answer to your problem!

Today I was installing a new XP workstation to add to my network at the office!

You know how if you really know something you can just do it hands on and hardly think about it! But ask you later the steps from memory, you can't remember! Especially if Senior moments are becoming almost constant! Smile!

Well it so happend that just before this project I decided to look at my entrys here on the board.

I saw yours and decided I would make note of the steps when I connected to the network!

You are correct it is the file and printer sharing! You are incorrect however in thinking it is activated!

Run the network config wizard! It may look like you are configuring an additional connection but put in your current workgroup and it will reconfigure that workgroup and not make another unique one.

You will get to a place where it processes for a minute or 2 then says you have to install something on all other stations. On this screen pick the last one that says finished! NOW! When you go to sharing it will allow you to enter boxes that were grayed out before and activate sharing on any resource.

Now you need to go back and really share what you want to share! Now unlike before you will see the sharing overlay ( the hand) on any shares!

And you do not nessesarilly have to drag to the share folder!

You will need to this on both computers!

I am sorry I didn't think of this before! But you were seeing file and printer sharing in network properties. In XP that only means it is installed, but did not mean it was activated!


Mike

PS I have heard there is a bug or some unusual install option that requires that the guest account be activated but I have never had to do it!

But since you have been trying things if the above don't work then you may try turning on the guest account!

In fact I have heard that if you do have to turn it on, that after you make the connection you can then turn off the guest account and the connection will stay!

 

mflynn

Just a thought ( or another WAG ) BUT ?

Are you referring to something similiar in 95 & 98.

It reads roughly the same idea as in 95 & 98 where File and Printer Sharing had to be BOUND to each Protocol. I found this out sort by accident ( or mistake ) and unbound it to IPX/SPX and lost my sharing capabilities.

BUT NOT BOUND TO TCP/IP Because ( at least in 95 & 98 ) it leaves port 139 ( and a couple of others I think ) wide open to the world. And a Router or Firewall will not block them.

BillyBob

 

Hello BillyBob

Yes! All of that is still there!

But since XP is a service oriented OS it is controlled differently!

More controls, settings to allow diabled or enabled or manual or automatic!

Add to that, it has many new enhancements and features that weren't even in Win2k much less Win98.

You can still turn off file and printer sharing for the TCIP internet connection!

In my networks I usually run the LAN on Netbeui!

Microsoft is trying to get away from netbeui! In XP most people think that it won't use Netbeui and it can not be installed, but it is hidden on the XP Pro cd in a Utility folder! And it has to be copied to the correct places but it is there!

On the open ports! That depends on the router and router setup! And the same for the firewall! It does't matter what ports are open if the firewall and router are keeping incomings blocked!

As far as firewalls go, a good software and hardware firewall or router complement each other!

Most people think a router has a builtin firewall but that is not so! A NAT router is natural firewall by the fact of how it works as oposed to an intelligent hardware firewall! Now some routers do have builtin hardare firewalls! But they are a tiny bit more expensive than a LinkSys router! Smile!

But set them up properly and you have a high level of protection!

I have tried many software firewalls BlackIce Tiny etc but I personally like Zone Alarm 2.6 still (don't like 3.0)! Of all it's features I like to be told when something on my computer wants to go out and away the most!

Time for bed!

Good to talk to you BillyBob!

Mike

 

Thanks. I got the answered I was looking for. Same idea but MUCH more complicated. ( sorry. I mean secure. )

But since I caught someone into things that were none of their business, I do not keep anything ( other then the Printer ) permanently shared anyway.

In my networks I usually run the LAN on Netbeui!

My LAN uses NeBeui over IPX/SPX. ( Or so the checkboxes say. ) But it all works so I don't really care.

And I AM NOT going to try fixing it I know all too well how some of my Mr. Fix it deals turn out.

As far as firewalls go, a good software and hardware firewall or router complement each other!

I have been under the impression that a software Firewall was needed to control out going attempts along with any incoming that may sneak by the Router.

Even though I have the router NIS still catches and incoming attempt occasionaly.

But set them up properly and you have a high level of protection!

That is the important key [ PROPERLY ] to keeping the doors locked.

BillyBob

 

Gindericho

Are you still out there? Give us a status so we can close this case! Smile!

Mike

 

sorry, but none of this is working for me. i am almost completely sure this is firewall related since everything worked fine before my brother installled norton personal firewall. and seeing as how i have no idea what settings to tweak on it, i decided to just leave it alone. and update, i am now using an smc barricade 7004vbr router instead of the linksys befsr41 and having the same problems.

 

Gindericho

OK!

I thought it was important to you!

You say you "think" it is the firewall on your brothers computer!

It's as simple as turning it off to find that out for sure!

But be sure to check XPs own firewall on both yours and your brothers. Because he could have them both on and yours could be on too and you don't know it!

Besides with a Router you are behind a natural fiewall anyway!

You can feel substantial safty behind a router but only slightly more with both!

Even if you are paranoid about the firewall you can at least turn it off for a test!

If it is a firewall issue and you can turn it off and make a connection there is a good chance when or if you turn it back on it will maintain the connection!

So I will consider this issue closed unless I hear back from you!

But if you do use my suggestions above and it works let us know so others can benifit!

Good luck!

Mike

 

The Norton personal firewall can be set to ignore/pass all traffic from a specific IP address or range of addresses. In effect, those addresses are not firewalled.

Try setting it to pass all traffic from your PC.